Local Consultants In Expressway Project Threaten To Quit

By Ashanthi Warunasuriya

A rift has emerged between local and Chinese officials involved in the Southern expressway extension project.

Local consultants involved in the project have written to the project engineer, M. S. Nilawfer saying that the team leader of the Chinese company contracted for the project must be replaced over his alleged unprofessional behaviour.

Ten local officials including engineers involved in the Matara to Beliatta extension of the project have alleged that the Chinese team leader representing China Railway First Survey and Design Institute, has taken arbitrary decisions without the employer’s consent.

They alleged that among the arbitrary decisions taken by him was to remove the local quality surveyor of the local consultant staff.

The local consultants say they had made a complaint against the Chinese official earlier as well yet no action has been taken.

The letter written to the project engineer has been copied to the Highways Minister and Road Development Authority Chairman.

Construction of the extension of the Southern Expressway (ESEP) from Matara to Hambantota including Expressway link to Mattala (96km) is underway.

The country is slowly being ‘sold’ to the Chinese, who use “palm oil” to acquire contracts. This is well known.There are many international engineering firms with excellent records who should have been considered.
The tender should have been internationally advertised.